Robert Woodbury Bariatric Surgeon MD, FACS

Dr. Robert Woodbury is the director of Healthy Steps Weight-Loss Center here in Santa Rosa, California. Before a patient can be scheduled for their initial consultation, they need to attend a seminar that he hosts monthly. The seminar is where I first met him. My first impression was that he really cared about people living healthy lives. His disposition was nice and welcoming. For me, going to this meeting was the first time I silently yet publicly "announced" that I had a problem. I looked around the room at the other info-seeking potential patients and recognized my same sentiment on their faces: nervous, curious, hopeful. While on the journey to be approved for the surgery, I had my first appointment with him that ended with me in tears after he told me that my BMI wasn't high enough to qualify for it (needs to be 40 or above). He spent the time to talk to me about lifestyle changes, stressing that making better food and exercise choices will lead to success. My BMI was 37. Thankfully, there is a contingency that if your BMI is 35-40 and you have an obesity-causing condition, then surgery would be approved. A few months later I returned to the program with a diagnosis of sleep apnea. The surgery would be approved and I already could feel the relief lifting. There is a Lifestyle Center that is part of the program that is designed to stay with you for life. It is right across the street from the clinic (where the nurses are). You must enroll in this program as a part of the package, so to speak. This program costs $799.99 and they accept a payment plan. The program provides nutrition education, a fitness and exercise consultation, mental health counseling, and general support. You are supposed to go to appointments there while going to clinic appointments across the street for the months leading up to surgery. Even years after surgery, they are available to help you with goals, nutritional guidance, and exercise groups. Every month there is a "Walk with the Doc" where Dr. Woodbury spends a few hours walking around Spring Lake with patients (in every stage of their journey). This is an opportunity for us all to connect, get support, and ask questions while exercising. The Lifestyle Center also organizes picnics and cooking classes. What I like about Dr. Woodbury is that there is so much focus on AFTER the surgery, the rest of your life, and how to most effectively extend it. Surgery is treated like what it is, a tool. Surgery is not the answer, it a stop on the path to the answer, mine being LIVING the rest of my life to the fullest. Everyone's answers are specific to themselves.
Over time, I can see that he is truly dedicated to helping others live a healthy life. The other patients I have met have all been happy about their experiences with Healthy Steps.
His staff is kind and knowledgable. There are other surgeons in the practice that I have never met, but I have heard that Dr. Cortez is awesome. I have no other bariatric surgeon to compare Dr. Woodbury to, but I would rate him high.
I don't want to put anything negative out about anyone in particular, but about the clinic on Hoen Ave (not the Lifestyle Center) I will say that my pre-op appointments were supposed to take 3 months, but took much longer than that and I'm not sure exactly why. My General Practitioner moved to another office and I had to find a new one to write a letter stating that I was cleared for surgery, and that took some time. Also, one day I was very stressed from running late and I kind of cried a bit at an appointment with one of the nurses. Even though mental health is not her field of expertise, she told me that I didn't seem emotionally ready to have the surgery. (That upset me) I can't point to one thing in particular as to why the "3 months" actually took many more, but many appointments were just like "check in" appointments where I wasn't given a task to do, like to get this lab or that procedure done. Thoughout the process I kept thinking that I wasn't on the ball. Whatever the reasons were, Dr. Woodbury had nothing to do with it, and my clinic experience shouldn't get in the way of a potential patient determining if it's a good program to go through. It totally is.
My journey has really just begun, (as I write this, I am 3 weeks post-op) and I know I've done the right thing!

Dr. Woodbury is a great surgeon and instructor. His group help me learn how to take care of myself before and after surgery. I have lost a total of 164 pounds which leaves me at 160 today and I couldn't have done it without the help of Dr. Woodbury and his staff. He loves what he does and he saved my life!

I cannot express how fortunate I am to have Dr. Robert Woodbury as my doctor. He is simply amazing. He gave me a tool and taught me how to use that tool before the surgery. Bariatric surgery is a "tool" and not a quick fix. He and his team made sure I knew all the information before I had the surgery and what to expect after surgery.

I saw a nutritionist to learn new ways of eating. I attended and continue to attend the Weight Loss Support group monthly meetings to hear the other side of the story. There are about 60 folks that get together to talk about all the changes happening in their lives from before the surgery to years after.

This year has been one of change. On 12-12-12, I celebrated the 1-year anniversary of my gastric sleeve surgery. In January 2012, my wife began working with Dr. Woodbury as a non-surgical patient. We have both changed our eating and lifestyles. This involved getting physical, eating right, and reducing stress. The support team at Healthy Steps really helped with the nutritional aspects of our new lifestyle.

For the first time in my life I can buy clothes in any store. We took a camping trip this October. We stayed in my childhood canvas tent. We completed a 3 1/2 mile moderate to strenuous hike. We really didn’t think we could do it but we did and it was an awesome accomplishment. We plan on making hiking a regular thing.

Before Dr. Woodbury and the surgery none of this would have been possible. He just doesn’t spend a couple office visits, do the surgery, a post-operative appointment and let you go. We see him regularly at the support group meetings. He answers everyone’s questions whether you’re his patient or not. He values the folks who have had the surgery to give their perspectives to the newbies. We are made to feel we are not alone in this continuing journey.

His commitment to changing people’s lives is welcomed rarity. He continues to keep up with the latest data regarding bariatric surgery. If someone asks him a question he cannot answer he researches it and sometimes immediately using his phone. He is always respectful of other doctor patient relationships when answering questions of non-patients. If you have a problem with insurance he will refer you to doctors who take your insurance. His team goes the extra mile.

I highly recommend Dr. Robert Woodbury and the Healthy Steps Team.

My RNY was in 2010. As a nurse, I did alot of research regarding the local surgeons and their programs; I looked at post-op infection rates, spoke to OR, post-op, ICU, and med-surg nurses who work 1-on-1 with the docs, interviewed past patients, and had consults with the three surgeons that met my criteria. I choose Dr. Robert Woodbury based on the positive feedback I received from nursing staff & patients alike, his very low infection rate, high level of expertise, focus on evidence based medicine & research, and the instant sense of connection I felt during my consult.

What I appreciated most is that Dr. Woodbury is an active & respectful listener. (A rare trait in surgeons in my experience.)I was very ambivalent about WLS in general, and was investigating primarily because I had promised my PCP that I would. Dr. W keyed right into my unspoken fears and addressed them. And continued to do so at every pre-op appointment I had. He very carefully reviewed the risks of surgery with me on two separate visits and immediatelyly pre-op in the hospital. I was also well informed of and required to commit to taking needed supplements and annual labs for the rest of my life. There was a huge amount of emphasis on after care and doing the "head work". My very first visit I was told surgery would be on my stomach, but wouldn't do a thing for my head. That unless I worked on the root causes of my obesity, I likely would not reach a healthy weight or be able to maintain it. This was reviewed every single visit... which now, having maintained my weight for two years I understand how true this is!

I expect to be treated as an equal partner in my health care, and Dr. W and the Healthy Steps team have more than met this expectation. During the course of my care, Dr. W has spent hours discussing alternative avenues of treatment for my chronic inflammation issues as well as options for shifting my diet from the traditional animal based WLS post-op diet, to one more plant based. My insurance changed this year to an HMO. Dr. Woodbury invited me to call with any questions or concerns when I had to leave his practice. I've called twice and received prompt follow-up both times. The Healthy Steps Program has evolved into an incredible program since my surgery. The program is rich with the resources of a strong team of lifestyle coachnutritionistsests, exercise physiologist,educators, and a psychologist specializing in weight & body image issues. What I love about this program is that they really work with you to figure out what will work best to meet your unique & individual needs. They are very education focused & strive to empower those they work with to more fully "own" their own health and well being. They promotMediterraneanrean diet, which makes more sense to me nutritionally than any other I have seen for post-op. They also stock high quality medical foods and supplements in the Lifestyle office.

Over all, I give this program an A andreferredefered many friendcolleaguesougues. The entire team works well together, skillfully practices evidence-based pre and post weight loss surgery care, are personable, supportive, kind, and respectful.

Dr. Robert Woodbury gets an A+, as he is a very skilled and expesurgeon surgion, has a kind, compassionate, & respectful bedside manner, and goes above and beyond to support his patients!

I met Dr. Woodbury at the educational seminar last week. He's very nice, very approachable. He went over everything slowly, and fielded questions appropriately, though turned the floor over to a lovely woman 1 year post- roux en y too quickly. I think some of us still had some pertinent questions to ask. He seemed genuine in his belief that this is a disease, not simply a willpower thing, or a cosmetic issue. I have my consultation with him on June 4th, I'll update more then.

Dr Woodbury and I had an instant connection. First off, we agreed that we would be working as a team. He would include me in decisions as far as which surgery I would have and why...He would include my rheumatologist, my primary care doctor as well. rnDr. Woodbury was also sensitive to how I feel about my body as a morbidly obese person. I wasn't made to feel less than...Quite the opposite. rnHis office staff is exactly the same way. Everyone is on my side so that I can achieve my goals and dreams. No matter how many times I feel I need to call, they answer my questions and reassure me that everything is going according to plan and I am doing fine.rnDr. Woodbury made sure I understood that the VSG surgery I would be having is only a tool to weight loss. Its to \"re-tool\" my brain so I can sense hunger or the feeling of satisfaction. I was told, if I am willing to do the work, I can reach my personal goal of 130lbs. It was shocking to hear that my dream weight is possible. I like Dr. Woodbury's healthy steps program because each step you meet, you learn more about yourself and your body and the real commitment you are making to yourself. Its a lifetime commitment. Its easy to say \"yeah no problem\" but as you meet those goals you realize its not easy-peasy. You earn the right to your goals for surgery.There are risks to any surgery, but being aware of them is scary. I'd rather know the risks than stay in the dark about them.rnAfter care is as structured as pre-op steps. There are support groups in place, where Dr. W. conducts the group. Any help or support needed is just a phone call away...

Healthy Steps Weight Loss Centerrn1701 Fourth St.,Ste 200rnSanta Rosa, CA 95404rn(707)577-7800rnwww.healthystepsinfo.comrnDr. Woodbury was completely awesome! Extremely professional and kind. He calmed all my fears and took very good care of me. His personal staff at the office have been outstanding and helpful. Kate is so supportive and is my personal cheerleeder. She helps me be excited about my successes even when I am not feeling so excited. The staff at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital have nothing but the highest respect for Dr. Woodbury and are very helpful. Dr. Woodbury made sure I had everything I needed in and out of the hospital. Dr. Woodbury offers an information seminar before surgury and then the initial appointment is full of details. You are sent home with a binder and lots of homework. You do have to lose a certain amount of weight before sugury and have to have all of your life changes in place. His staff is very good about returning calls and answering any questions or concerns you may have post op. Plus his website has all the information you may need when you want to do research. The post op support is strong and I never feel alone in this journey. His billing staff is completely helpful and gets the job done! When Blue Cross denied the surgury he was able to get CA MediCal to cover my surgury and hospital stay. Blue Cross did cover some of the preop procedures but for having a good BCPPO they were not the ones that came through for me. CA MediCal are the ones that approved me within one month of their sending off the request for authorization. Out of pocket cost or \"copay\" for MediCal was the least expensive I found in a 200 mile radius and Dr. Woodbury was also the fastest at getting this done. It takes a while to do the process for Dr. Woodbury. I started this process in August of 2008 and had surgury in March 2009. Even though I got frustrated many times, it was never with Dr. Woodbury or his staff. As I said Kate, Barbara, Carol, and many others have been extremely helpful and kept me on track. Post op Dr. Woodbury does require that you stay in the Santa Rosa area. If you are interested you may contact me and I can connect you with the owner of a hotel close by that will offer a very reasonable rate. He has a handicapped room with a walk in shower. It is perfect because so many stores are close by and it is near walmart so you can easily pick up your post op prescriptions. Plus it was nearby Panda express so I was able to get some hot and sour soup that I could drink the broth of which was awesome since my tastebuds couldn't tolerate chicken broth. You may think you will be more comfortable at home but it was actually a nice break for me and the perfect start on my new life. Dr. Woodbury's ways are the best and really helped me start a new life. Thank you Dr. Woodbury and staff! Thank you to all the staff at Santa Rosa Memorial as well as the staff at Santa Rosa Physical Therapy!